A RELATIVE of one of Birmingham's most famous sons has stepped in to boost one of the city's biggest regeneration projects.

Metal sculptor Tim Tolkien, great-nephew of The Hobbit writer JRR Tolkien, is working with fellow artist Eric Klein Velderman and a group of children on a giant piece of artwork for the Icknield Port Loop, in Ladywood.

The work, a rectangle of mirrored polished steel, was unveiled at a ceremony attended by some of the 150 children involved in creating it.

The structure, which resembles a monster-sized photograph frame, will have pride of the place in the new-look canalside area when the ambitious scheme is finished.

Tim said: "Hopefully it will be put in a public place such as a piazza.

"The view through the sculpture is as important as the sculpture itself. "It's been fascinating working with the children and making the connection between their Victorian heritage and the plans for the regeneration of the canalside."

Pupils from five primary schools in Ladywood and Edgbaston were involved in the project, which was was supported by Birmingham City Council and funded by Urban Living.

Barford Primary School pupils Farrah Spence, aged 10, and 11-year-old Chloe Walker, said: "It was really fun making up patterns for the sculpture."